On an offline computer, I used a copy of bitaddress.org to enter a brainwallet passphrase of 12 words and the private key and public key were displayed. I printed that offline, and keep the info safe until now. I'm confident I have the public and private key. Just trying to move the coins safely to coinbase.
So:
1: get a reliable wallet like those mentioned in this thread and sweep the private key into that wallet.
2: now, simply transfer the coins from that wallet to coinbase
3: sell the coins